5.15.2010

The Difference..

is our children. We are only the bridge between them. Our children are her peers. Will be her friends. Will support her as an adult when we no longer are able. Will include her through out her life as one of them.

They will rise above fear. Above self consciousness. Above the equipment. Above the stares. They will be guides. Her light will be their light, and their light will be her light.

The key is how we teach them. What skills we give them. The compassion we instill in their little heads and hearts - will make the difference.

After the last post - so disheartening -

This is what is real in Ivey's world -
LOVE and compassion and respect and acceptance +

And this is a group...cheering on the athletes at Special Olympics. Thanks Beth. One is my son - knowing the compassion, yet not quite knowing the real reason he is cheering. Not yet. He just knows to cheer. Supporting the participants. One of those athletes will one day be his sister.  And as for those cheering on either side of him now - they will cheer too. 

4 comments:

S said...

I love that you include so many pictures of Ms. Mary. She is a fantastic lady to have on your team (she worked with some of my former students when I taught in Rome). And I love, love, love that you see family as friends. As much as I love my friends, my family is made up of people who are truly my best friends. Ivey is so lucky to have all of you (and you seem pretty lucky to have her too!)

Cat said...

It's obvious Ivey (and your family) are surrounded by love and respect!

KrisKay said...

Wonderful! She's a lucky gal to have such wonderful support... and a fabulous mama!

Jolene said...

I am so happy for you all! So many people out there don't have the love and spport they need and deserve so for those of us that do we need to really be thankfull for it all!

Sibling Secret Sauce

Siblings of kiddos with disabilities are amazing humans walking amongst us. They live a life, most often, in the shadows of their sibling w...